It's all work and no pay for Syracuse Deputy Mayor John Cowin

Syracuse, NY -- Deputy Mayor John Cowin stopped drawing a paycheck nearly a month ago. But he still shows up for work daily at Syracuse City Hall. “People ask me every day, ‘What are you doing here?’” Cowin said Wednesday.

Cowin has been forced to resign because state rules bar him from receiving his full $94,400 salary along with the $82,300 state pension he earned after 31 years as a firefighter. Cowin hasn’t been paid since April 15, when his wages for the year reached the allowed maximum of $30,000.

But he is still the deputy mayor, said Lindsay McCluskey, the mayor’s press secretary.

Cowin, who will not be replaced, remains on the job while his responsibilities are divided among other administration officials. He plans to work “a couple more weeks” to help with the transition, he said.

Most of the city’s operational departments, including the storm-battered public works department, report to Cowin. “I committed to the mayor that I would not just walk out and leave her stranded,” Cowin said.

Most of his duties will be divided at least temporarily between Bill Ryan, director of administration, and Tim Carroll, director of mayoral initiatives, Cowin said. Mayor Stephanie Miner said she expects to hire another aide, but not a deputy mayor.

As for the future, Cowin, 59, said he has been approached with several offers, including the possibility of running for an at-large seat on the Common Council. Cowin, a Republican, has been encouraged by party Chairman Tom Dadey and others to consider a run in November.

Four Democrats, including two incumbents, have expressed interest in running for two available at-large seats. Cowin said he plans to meet with Dadey, but he’s undecided about running. “At this point it’s very speculative,” he said.